davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1887-11-26
cuLIJS6s.

rlfrt V'l1Aa RiTl-tlarn ctuONnP o
father gave her magnificent diamond
ring for her birthday present. 1 sup
pose she'll be aronad with it putting on
airs. Second Omaha eirl-she won't
put on any airs over me l have new
ring, too See here. But her ring is
diamond No matter; she'll feel sick
when she sees this. It's an engagement
ring. Omaha World.
Omaha hotel map-You are wonder
ful lrcky boniface; just think. You
have kept hotel at Saratoga for I'VE
seasons and never had a scandal yet.
Saratoga hotel man--No luck about it.
It's good management. Management.
Yes sir. l never allow my clerks to
give . man his wifes letters or woman
her husbands letters. Omaha World.
Since the day when Ananiss and Sap
phira dissolved partnership by mutual
consent there has been no more original
liar than the one who said that the in
terstate commerce law wonld put an end
to circuses. There are more greatest
shows on earth in tho country this season
than there ever were before - Lincoln
Journal
Wayback man-All this talk about the
benefits Of high license is nonsense.
What want to see in Nebraska is pro-
hibition. Omaha.It cant be enforced.
No matter, I'll never rest until We get
prohibition. Are you temperance
orator? Well, no. l keep the only drug
store at Rum Crossing. Omaha World.
A Kansas man was visiting friend in
Lincoln, and the latter presented him
yesterday with handsome field-glsss,
saying: "Just take this as keepsake,
old man." I'm very much Obliged,
Charlie, but say" "Well?" "How
in thunder do you open it when you
want drink?"-Lincoln Journal.
Here is the longest correct sentence Of
that's" which we have yet seen. II as.
sert that that, that that that, that that
that that person told me contained, i'm
piled, has been misunderstood. II is a
string Of nine that's which may be easily
parsed by bright pupil.--.Tournsl OF
Education.
Inspector Byrnes tells about protect
ing Wall street from professional crimi-
nails. What the community requires ia
a rigorous law to protect tho conGding
public from the legalized Wall-strcet
thieves. II is unjust to hound bunko.
man while they are at large. -Jewelry
News.
bobby" said his mother, Il told you
not to forget to bring me up three scut.
ties Of coal before You went to school,
and you only brought up two u
know, ma, but ] forgot the third one,
Three scuttles is good many for little
boy like me to remember. New Yorl
Sun.
Mother ito daughter)--- Why, my dear,
yon are not going to church without
corsets, are your DaughterY ca
mamma. It's an ice-cream festival, YOU
know, and l want to accept all invi
tations. Mr.. Whitechoker says the
church ia badly in debt New Yorl
~
Inc most iagrsnt case oil professional
discoartesy on record occurred on
Soutnern racine Tram tne other Jay
Some h'ghwaymen, after cleaning on'
'ne passengers Of evory aoliafs wen
away Witnout GIVING tuc sieepiuk GA
porter q single cent-New York Tribune
The man who entera street car ant
The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1887-11-26

A Dakota editor got mad ~ post
master for calling his paper "second.
class mattsr,"
The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1887-11-26

The first printer who held cases on the
Republican boarded passenger train in
Central Texas, west bound, as most
printers do. cooked his feet upon the
seat, with tho following pass check
stuck in his hit: Admit bearer to any
lunatic asylum in the United States or
Canada" The conductor came along,
took the check, read it and replaced it..
At the first station nothing was said and
Mr.. Printer thought his cunning had
won division ride. At the next, how
ever, the conductor said "Woll, young
fellow, the lunatic asylum is back the
other way, yon had better get of here .
Fl Paso Republican.
The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1887-11-26
NOTICE.

NOTICE 10 HEREBY GIVEN THAT HAVE
IN received the Amusement Roll and ORIGINAL
llris Of property for the year A. y. 1851, from
tho Asaessor OF Lincoln County, Nevsds, and
the came Is In my office for public imposition.
Once on MONDAY. Septsmbsr 18Th, A D. 1851,
st 10 o'iock A. NJ. for the purposs OF equAlixing
said roll, snd will continue In ssru1on krom DAY
TO day until and Including The End dsy Of
October. A. . 1887, and all psrsons having OBJ
Bent TIM same W said Hoard whom IN sansion.
Y. @ KELLY
County Clerk and tx Ofiicio clcrk Of the Board
Of County Commissioners.
The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1887-11-26
COAST NEWS.

The coionists at Port Angeles, Clallanl
county, ". T., held mass meeting and
adopted resolutions setting forth that the
hanging of the Chicago Anarchists was a
disgrace to the country
A coal field two hundred milcs long is
said to have been traced in Montana,
reaching from the Big Horn mountains,
in Custer county, to the British line.
The Chico Chinese are offered by Gen.
Bidwell free ground, free water and 40, :
900 feet Of timber, if they viii locate
outside tho town limits.
Sacramento shows figures TO prove that
she sent more freight East in October
than any other city in the State except
San Francisco.
The Cheyenne sun claims there are ten
million tons OF lead ore in sight on the
surface of the Gilchrist mining district
near that city.
Interesting development are promised
in the suit Of the Government to obtain
possession Of the property of the Mormon
Church.
The ontput from the Dram Lnmmon
mine, Montana, for October was Sis,
300; operating expenses, SEQ, 900.
Tho Fresno Supervisors are still con-
sidering the charges against the contrac-
tor for the new county jail.
Los Angeles has a coal famine result
ing from a miners strike in the Gallup.
New Mexico, mines.
At Fresno, Cal, George Layton COM
mitted suicide by shooting himself
through the heart,
A fine ledge Of gray granite has been
opened up on the Boise River, Idaho,
The new engine for the Anaconda mine
at Butte City weighs $50 tons.
The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1887-11-26

a remsrksble-looking man is reported
from Monroe county. His name is Riley
Smith. He is seven feet six and one
half inches tall, and measures only twelve
inches around the waist. lie wears a
No. II shoe that will hold quarter of a
peck Of corn. The trade makes no shoe
large enough by four numbers, and when
he needs pair Of shoes he sends to a
Louisville firm, where they are made to
order. Once year he orders pair Of
pillow shoes. They weigh ten pounds, are
extra heavy leather, and have very
broad heels. They are sixteen inches
long. He was born in North Carolina,
came to Indiana in 1860. is forty.fl five
years old and is married and the father
Of two children. --Ex.
The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1887-11-26

The kind Of political party this
country needs most ia ono embracing .
plank which prohibits candidates giving
away cigars that cost less than s cents
each, or three for = iaine. Da!,th Para
grapher.
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22
CHAPTER II.

/ met Bessie Sherwin. Love bursts upon
me- sudden revelation of some subtle,
terrible power that was unsupported, and
the discovery of which frightens and half
angers me. | stare at her, spellbound.
She bushes. She glances my person over.
For the first time in my life | realize that
my clothes are patched, my feet large, my
hands red and rough, and my beard I'M
kempt.
"These eggs are for the sick Mrs.
T-t-turner," | manage to stammer. Then
l thrust the small basket with its donation
from Mother Bierce into Bessie's hand and
rush toward home. But my peace has gone
forever. l see her face everywhere. | am
hot and cold by turns. Hope and despair
alternately wrench my heart. l become a
slave, an idolater. l shave regularly now.
l demand collars for my shirts. | buy a
clothes brush. | invest the proceeds of
four days labor in pair of fine shoes. l
fairly stuff the larder of the sick Mrs.
Turner with quail, venison and trout.
haunt the Turner residence with the most
ridiculous excuses for my presence.
envy the Turner's stable-boy who cares
for my idols pony. My starved soul is
mad with a passion that stops at nothing
foolish in the long list of lovers follies.
For months | live in the air in the crystal
air-castles that Imagination builds for
Hope.
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

hard to love you. Paul and / met, loved
quarreIed and parted long before knew
you My God, how | have suffered" And
she sinks between that craven wretch and
me, and stretches forth her hands toward
me for mercy.
But the shame, tho shame" | hiss
through set jaws.
We arc to be married to-day at May
vile, and, oh, my friend, lovo him." she
soils, and hangs her head in shame to say
il to me.
Married to-day? Love him." l NUT
ter incoherently. Today Why, to-day
is Christmas and ! was TO be the happy
bridegroom, How far away seems yester
day and all its happiness. How still love
this girl knecling before me. Her misery.
her humiliation are greater torture to me
than Is my own loss. Vengeful desires
leave me. The demon of murder takes his
hot fingers from my heart. look at Bess
for the last time. am choking. | feel as
if | havo fallen from n fearful height and
am still falling. try to brush the mist
from my eyes. | cast my rifle to tho
ground, turn, and rush, like the mailman /
am, into the woods.
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

do | notice 1t at such a time? What fend
possesses me that l seize the weapon and
rush through the woods to the village?
Oh, how good that dear dead mother has
been to the unknown child cast up by
Fries raging waters, i'll the past. What
kindnesses, what love, what care! Bessie
alone can comfort my stricken heart. How
precious is her love to me now!
| quicken my pace. | reach the lawn
before the Turner residence. l come upon
the household gathered about Deacon
Turner, who is seated upon the steps, with
his face buried in his hands. My appear
ance seems to quiet the excited people.
"Alrs. Bierce died suddenly, last night, "
1 say; "and l have come 10 ask Why,
you are in tears! Where is-Bessie?"
"Gone!" answers Mr. Turner, raising his
fearful eyes to mine. Gone, he repeats,
My heart stops beating Cold fingers
seem to strangle me.
"Gone? Shame? l don't understa-"
"Yes. She and Paul North have"
My God. Now l see it all | am be-
trayed. won her gratitude and satisfied
her vanity by my servile devotion. Paul
Norths smooth ways have won her heart.
Her paleness, her sadness, her sudden
trembling all are at last plain to the blind
fool who is left behind to bear the pity of
village SWANS and giggling girls.
But some one spoke of shame! Shame
for my beautiful Bess?
God himself prompted me to take my
rifle with me. A great rage fills my heart.
rush madly down the road. No need to
ask which way they went. Her pony's
shod hoOfs have left trail in the snow
that my burning eyes could follow in the
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

I'm lea.
"Ted? Oh, you're the kid what washed
to shore on the wreck of the 'Mornin
Star. You're Farmer Bierce's boy now,
amt ye?"
yep"
Poor kid Niver will forgit how Far
mer Bierce dashed into the breakers and
dragged We and the dead woman to shore.
No one knowed We, and l reckon no one
does yit Why, lad, yer ma lieu yander
lust beside the Heskins headstun, poor
soul, and nobody knowed her nuther, fur
that matter. No one has found out yit who
We are, and We are like to remain and be
one O. us, for all | see, for yer clothes was
of Turin make, and few furriners visits
Nottingham.
Thus the old man tells the story of my
five years of existence, and, growing ia
miliar, scramble down from the plain slab
that marks the resting place of the "Be-
loved wife of Hiram Fuller" and, with
my feet swinging in the little chasm the
sexton is digging, | literally sit upon the
edge of the grave and watch the work.
The next day l come again. Then again
and again, and sometimes | find my new
made friend and his shovel, grunting and
heaving as before. l grow to love it all
the old dead oak with the wind moaning
through its barren branches, reminding
me of something indefinite but awful in
the past; the whirling leaves that sift
through the haze of early fall and hide the
storm beaten mounds; the crumblng rail
fence, with its triangular gardens of elder
and blackberry bushes: the paths choked
with thoroughwort and briars; the weather
stained slabs, the birds, the fowers-all
belong to me, and l pass my childhood in
the company of the dead. l am loved by
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22
DEC E M 3 Err, l8 81.

dark. Beside the animals hoof- marks are
other tracks, tracks made by city-mado
boots. Curse him! Grinding my teeth
together tear along the road. Tho SNOW
flakes fall upon my bare head. plunge
through drifts, with curses between my
sobs, and tears dropping from my checks.
Running, walking, plunging, ON | go.
Now stop to recover breath, and | snarl
in devilish gleo as | look upon my rifle.
forget that she loves him and cannot,
should not marry mo. l forget tho kind,
suffering old man, my more than father.
whom left unconscious in the old farm
house. only remember that she was
mine, my Bess, and that he, the city gal
liant, has stolen her. All that is
savage in me is aroused. l shall
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

n little cry, Us she boholds and recognizes
the raging demon crouching on tho thresh-
old. Still do not see her | soc only
him, and there comes to my maddenod
senses tho full knowledge of oil that he is
robbing mo Of. With hot fingers feel for
the lock of my rifle. | do not tako my
eyes Off him. He secs my movement. His
face turns CHASTITY white and he shrnks
back against the fire place | smilo fond
ishly as SEQ him quail.
you die, you black devil" shrek.
BUT Bessie RtepD before him.
| see her now. How white and faint she
looks! Her hands are pressed against her
bosom, and her Dyes are full of agony.
Teddy she says TREMENDOUSLY, Il tried
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

ing! The house seems unusually quiet.
Mother Bierce is usually rafting her
saucers and pans at this hour. None of the
familiar odors are rising from the kitchen
beneath me. Everything seems strangely
still. l hurry on my clothes | rush to
the we'll known bedroom into which
have so often toddled at dawn in my early
years My God! what is it? Father Bierce
on the floor on his knees, with his gray
head bowed upon the bedclothes! tainted,
but breathing - thank God! Mother
Mother! Oh, dear Mother Bierce! Dead!
dead! Smiling, but cold and rigid, dead!
Crazed with grief, stagger to the door.
must have help. l will go to Mr., Tur-
ners. | will take my grief to Bessie.
My rifle stands beside the door. Why
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22


My Brss! All, horo il the end of it all.
Dead all these years? All tho old love
wells up IN my heart. 1t has been hidden.
but never rNtnguishcd. You are min0
now, Bess, ! moan. Il have recovered
you Mt last. You have come TO my homo.
\ on nrc III the family Of the dead love-"
few withered leaves from tho old Onk
full ruRtlng about my face ns ! lower II to
the frozen sod TINT shelters my lost love.
My heart grows bitter and rebel against
fate. Even at her grave he may claim hor,
for have ! not Just read that there was no
shame III their love- Somewhat of the old
time passion minglos with my grief, and
the old mad envy and jealousy possess me.
Regrets that did not satisfy my vengo-
ance seilo upon mo, and again, in imagin-
alton, | am raging on the trail Of the fugi-
tiyes, with the Christmas bells ringing in
my ears and murder III my heart.
"Why do you cast yourself upon that
grave" arc words that break in upon my
misery.
"Bocause" - rise to my feet angrily.
| look at him! The man who robbed mo
-t the man who stole my Bcssl-tho man
whose face wore sneers when my heart was
being crushed.
He comes here now to drive me from her
grave. Great God! he comes here now,
when the passion of lifetime il springing
from control, more terrible more deadly
than ever. lie il here TO laugh at my tears.
10 torture me with visions Of the bliss that
ho has tasted. He is here 10 torment me
with the shame Of her desertion of me for
him
He is within my reach, just across the
narrow mound!
Again my eyes seem filled with blood.
Again ! choke with hunger for revenge
Again il no the pallid, trembling wretch
who covered in the woodchoppor's cabin
Again my hands ache TO clasp his throat.
Tho heavy cane in my hand has become
the red hot rtlo Of that other day.
81 know you, Paul North" hiss be-
tween my grating teeth. 81 am Ted
"My God" he oxclaims, and no sinks
upon his knees, while the Same old terror
leaps into his eyes.
I'VE met and loved before she camo
among you. She lived but year after
thut day we "
Something in my eyes Causes him TO
pause, and DO monns, God help me-" But
| don't catch what no sayD, | am living
over again that sceno in the woodlands
cabin. | hesitate to spring upon him.
am waiting, waiting for my Bess to stop
between MS, ms she did that other Christmas
morn. But no Boss comes. Instead, there
COMICS from lIc llttlc chufCh DelOW tnO NH
tho melody of childish voices:
"PcaCo on sarth Good will toward men"
turn my head to catch the song. When
/ look at Paul North again he il not tho
old time Paul of the woodman'B hut. He
has risen and leans upon his cane. Why,
his face is wrinkIod and aged, and no
tremhles with feeblcneBs.
Bessie wished it thus, and he points at
tombstone OF marble rising close beside
that of my-of his wife. | wipe my eyes
and read
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22
CHAPTER ILL

1t is in the silent house, after the funeral
of Mrs. Turner, Bessie's aunt, who brought
the beautiful girl, an orphan, from Buffalo,
that | find my angel in tears. Her dis
tress, her loneliness torture me. | kneel at
her feet. 1 pour forth my story of pas
sion. She places her soft hand on my
shoulder and strives to speak. spring to
my feet and clasp her in my arms.
Rescind thy immutable DEGREES, o Fate,
and condense my life into that moment of
ecstasy!
How could know that her tears were
caused by her grief, instead of JOY? How
could l understand that her loneliness
drove her to my sympathy; that my devo-
ton had won her gratitude, not her heart?
How could | understand that in her great
grief she was not strong enough to trample
my hopes in the dust of despair?
l only know that she puts her head upon
my shoulder as if glad to have found a
place of rest. l only know that suddenly
the gates of heaven stand ajar and the ra-
dance pouring from within dazzles my
eyes.
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

MILES from here, weeks after that day,
they found body in the woods, and we
thought it was yours, although it was badly
dsfgured, says Paul.
Hate fees from my heart forever.
reach across her grave and grasp his hand.
Awhile we talk beside our loved ones
grave, and then, arm in arm, leaning upon
our canes and on each other, we two 20
down the hill together.
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

the childless old couple in the farm house,
but nature has made me queer child, and
manhood finds me solitary, loyal to the
past, attached TO our homely farm-life, and
detesting the advance of "a higher order of
civilization" upon our frontier world. l
live in the forest and am the passionate
idolater of Nature. My thoughts are my
companions, and the thousand voices and
habitants of the woods my friends. To
such a nature lo-e comes like an electric
shock.
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

to the cabin of a wood-chopper. They are
in the cabin. am a savage. Vengeance
is mine. The rifle in my hand seems made
of red-hot steel. / strike tho cabin door a
fierce blow with my heavy hand. ltswings
inward. l confront the fugitives, who
stand side by side on the hearth of the
wide fireplace. His arm is around her.
My eyes seem to be swimming in blood,
and through the mist see only has face,
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22
CHAPTER ".

1t is Christmas eve, and tomorrow Bes-
sic is to become my wife. l have just come
through the woods where the men were
cutting Christmas trees for tomorrow,
and am sitting before the fire in Mother
Bierce's dining room. The old couple have
retired, and | am doing what Mother Bierce
calls brooding over my happiness" And
| am happy. Will Bessie be happy with
me? All here's the great problem of my
love. She is always pale and absent
minded lately. She is kind to me, but has
an air of resignation that provokes me.
Her frank caress of earlier days is given
less often. She cannot have tired of my
adulation, but sometimes she trembles and
grows palcr at my approach. Pshaw, lis
but the natural anxiety of a girl that
troubles her, and am fool to sit up this
late and worry about nothing And vet,
something serious is at the bottom of her
mental worriment," as dear old Mother
Bierce would say. A smile, a hand clasp,
a flower, would transport me few weeks
ago; but now, since | have pressed her
lips and held her in my arms, | must
have all my idols thoughts, all her
heart, all her confidence. must be part
of her life. Such is the arrogance of my
passion. Sometimes | have caught her
looking at Paul North, the artist fellow
from Buffalo, with light in her sad eyes
that l do not understand. Paul is hand
some, polished in manners and speech. He
shines in the presence of her friends, while
am at a disadvantage. silent and uninter-
esting Bah! How l hate him. But can
it be that my Bessie-what fool | am, to
be sure. Sitting up till morning to
speculate upon the loyalty of the dear girl
who will be my wife in a few short hours!
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22
CHAPTER VI

After many years | persuade myself
that it is my duty to return and care for
dear old Father Bierce, if living. | do
not pause to think the chances arc all
against his having been spared. But
want an excuse by which to delude my
self, and this will answer.
The snow is falling softly as alight
from the stage at Nottingham one after
noon in December. sigh for q welcome
from the old familiar objects that l turned
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

overtake Thorn. know this as
bound along. shall tear his throat.
l shall kneel upon his breast and gloat
over the contortions of his handsome face
as strangle him. feel only pity for her
poor bewitched Bess! ] shall save her
from shame.
BY noon | am nearing the town of May
vile. The trail in the snow is very fresh.
See! The trail leaves the road and leads
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22

"There's Johnnie, who lives across the stree
disobedient boy;
He shall have nothing for Christmas Day,
Not even little toy.
I'm sorry, but he deserves no gifts
Good children will enjoy
And thus good Santa Claus went round
With presents nice and new,
Omitting naughty boys nnd girls,
Their papas and mammas, too.
He has their names in great big book
He carries the whole year through.
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22
VENGEANCE is THINE.
A Tale of Two Christmas Days.
BY ROBERT FINDLEY.
CHAPTER l

CHAPTER L
A push with a cowhide boot a heave, a
grunt, and up comes a shovelful of soft
red earth. More stamping and grunting,
and more earth, and the grizzly old sexton
from the little church under the hill stands
erect to mop his streaming brow and
catches sight of me perched on a neigh
boring tombstone.
wall, l swow! and who might you be-"
Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-22
For the Little Ones.
SANTA CLAUS.

Said Santa Claus, ON his midnight drive,
AS he neared cottage white:
~Theres Freddie, Annie, and little May,
Who are good children quite;
I'll give them these" And he held two dolls,
And q sled both new and bright.